Displaying a light control ui on a device upon detecting interaction with a light control device

ABSTRACT

A system (1) for controlling a light source (11) in response to detecting interaction with a light control device (16) by a user (51) is configured to detect the interaction with the light control device by the user, transmit a first command or a signal to the light source in response to the detection, and transmit a second command to a further device (21) in response to the detection. The first command or the signal causes the light source to render a light effect. The second command causes the further device to display a user interface that allows the user to control the light source.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a system for controlling a light source inresponse to detecting interaction with a light control device by a user.

The invention further relates to a method of controlling a light sourcedevice in response to detecting interaction with a light control deviceby a user.

The invention also relates to a computer program product enabling acomputer system to perform such a method.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Philips Hue is a consumer connected lighting solution. The Hue systemtypically comprises a central controller, named a bridge (or hub),wirelessly controllable lighting devices and user interfaces in variousforms (light control devices, sensors and mobile device apps). Thebridge is connected to the router of the user and communicates to thelighting devices. It can run schedules and home automation rules. Inthis way, it acts as the intelligence of the system. All user interfacesconnect to the bridge in order to actuate the lights.

In the Hue system, mobile device apps are typically used when the useris not close to a light control device. Mobile device apps may also beused to when it is not convenient to use a light control device, asdisclosed in US 2016/0342297 A1. US 2016/0342297 A1 discloses that whenthe user places the smartphone near a control panel, the smartphonepicks up functions from the control panel and temporarily impersonatesthe control panel in the eyes of the house automation system.

The Hue system includes a range of physical accessories that could beused to control lighting, including the Hue dimmer switch, the Hue tapswitch and the Hue smart button. The Hue smart button and other hueaccessories can only accommodate a limited number of physical controlsand have limited means for displaying to the user what behaviors havebeen assigned to the physical controls.

US 2019/313509 A1 discloses a system wherein a user can record andcreate rules. The user opens the rule app and then presses a button of alight switch, and a user can select a lighting effect for that buttonvia a user interface, such that when the user actuates the button, thecontroller will automatically enact the associated programmed lightingeffect.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a first object of the invention to provide a system, which helpsprovide an advanced user interface without significantly increasing thecost of light control devices.

It is a second object of the invention to provide a method, which helpsprovide an advanced user interface without significantly increasing thecost of light control devices.

In a first aspect of the invention, a system for controlling a lightsource in response to detecting interaction with a light control deviceby a user comprises at least one input interface, at least one furtherinterface, and at least one processor configured to use said at leastone input interface to detect said interaction with said light controldevice by said user, use said at least one further interface to transmita first command or a signal to said light source in response to saiddetection, said first command or said signal causing said light sourceto render a light effect, and use said at least one further interface totransmit a second command to a further device in response to saiddetection, said second command causing said further device to display auser interface, said user interface allowing said user to control saidlight source.

By causing the further device to display an appropriate light control UIwhen the user interacts with a light control device, the user is ableuse an advanced UI while the primary control can be kept simple.Therefore, the cost of (manufacturing) the light control devices doesnot need to be increased (significantly). The advanced UI may be used,for example, for fine-grained control and may also be useful insituations where recommended settings are used. The user can directlymake changes if he does not appreciate the recommendation.

For instance, if a user clicks a smart button to switch the light sourceon, his or her smart watch may also be also activated and show a UI thatis relevant to the “light on” function. The UI may provide lampbrightness control, which is not possible via the button, so that ifuser wants to adjust the brightness setting, he or she could do itimmediately on the smart watch (e.g. without selecting the app manuallyand selecting the relevant room). The advanced UI is also useful whenthe user wants different behavior from the button in differentlocations. While, different behavior can be enabled using ZigBee basedlocalization, for example, the button is still limited to a set ofspecific functions and these functions are not visible to the user andtherefore need to be remembered.

The further device may be a mobile device or another device with adisplay or able to control an external display, e.g. a smart speakerwith a display like the amazon Show, a wearable personal device such asAugmented Reality (AR) glasses, a TV, or a settop box. The light sourcemay be a lighting device or a light element (e.g. an LED), for example.

Said at least one processor may be configured to determine said lighteffect based on said interaction and specify said light effect in saidfirst command or said signal and said second command. Said interactionwith said light control device may comprise interaction with a button ora rotary switch of said light control device or interaction with a voiceassistant via said light control device, for example. In the lattercase, the light control device may be, for example, a smart speaker likethe Amazon Echo that allows the user to control light sources.

Said at least one processor may be configured to transmit said secondcommand to said further device based on a location of said furtherdevice and/or said user relative to a location of said light controldevice and/or relative to a location of said light source. Said furtherdevice may be a mobile device and said at least one processor may beconfigured to select said mobile device from a plurality of mobiledevices based on a location of said mobile device relative to locationsof said plurality of mobile devices. Said system may further comprisesaid plurality of mobile devices. The second command may be transmittedto a stationary further device with a display or able to control anexternal display if the user is close the display, for example.

The further device nearest to the light control device and/or the lightsource is most likely the further device that is held by the person thatwants to control the light source. If only one further device isdetected and this further device is not detected near the light controldevice and/or the light source, transmission of the second command maybe skipped or the second command may be transmitted to a pre-configureddevice.

Said system may further comprise a memory and said at least oneprocessor may be configured to select said further device based on afurther device identifier stored in said memory. By pre-configuring thefurther device to which the second command should be transmitted, afallback option may be provided. Alternatively, it may become easier toimplement the system.

Said system may comprise said light control device and said at least oneprocessor may be configured to use said at least one further interfaceto transmit said first command and said second command upon detectingthat said user has interacted with a physical control of said lightcontrol device. If the system comprises the light control device, it maybe able to receive a detection signal directly from the physicalcontrol. The input interface may be an input of the processor, which mayreceive the detection signal directly from the physical control todetect that said user has interacted with the physical control.

Said at least one processor may be configured to use said at least oneinput interface to receive a control command from said light controldevice and use said at least one further interface to transmit saidfirst command, or said signal, and said second command upon receivingsaid control command. If the system does not comprise the light controldevice, e.g. is a bridge or a lighting device, it normally needs toreceive a control command from the light control device, as it isnormally not able to receive a detection signal directly from thephysical control. The system may be, for example, a (e.g. Hue) Bluetoothlight bulb that can receive the control command via Zigbee from thelight control device and transmit the second command to the furtherdevice via Bluetooth.

Said least one processor may be configured to extract information fromsaid control command and determine, in dependence on said information,whether to transmit said second command or not. For example, anidentifier of the light control device or information indicating whetherthe light control device wants the second command to be transmitted maybe extracted from the received control command. In the former case, theuser may be able to indicate for a light control device whether he wantsthe second command to be transmitted, i.e. whether he wants the userinterface to be displayed on the further device automatically, or thesystem may learn this automatically. Information indicating whether thelight control device wants the second command to be transmitted may beconfigured in the light control device by the manufacturer of the lightcontrol device, for example.

Said user interface may comprise control functionality of said lightsource, said control functionality not being available on said lightcontrol device. The user interface might just provide an easier mannerof controlling functionality already available on the light controldevice, e.g. by allowing a user to use a virtual slider to controldimming instead of by holding a button, but preferably, the userinterface provides control functionality not available on the lightcontrol device. Functionality with a high level of granularity isconsidered not be available on the light control device if the lightcontrol device only allows this functionality to be controlled with alow level of granularity. For example, if the light control device onlyallows brightness to be controlled in 10% steps, a user interface on thefurther device that allows continuous control is considered to providecontrol functionality not available on the light control device.

Said user interface may allow said user to modify said light effect andcontrol said light source to render said modified light effect and/orwherein said user interface is configured to display information relatedto said light effect and/or said interaction. This allows the user tocorrect the interaction he has had with the light control device, e.g.by learning what consequence his interaction has had and/or whatconsequences other interactions would have had and/or by fine-tuning thelight effect. This is especially beneficial if the light effect is basedon recommended settings.

Said second command may cause said further device to launch a lightingcontrol application on said further device, said light controlapplication displaying said user interface. Although the user interfacecould be embedded in the further device, e.g. in the operating system,it is more practical to implement it in a lighting control application.This lighting control application is preferably launched upon receipt ofthe second command if it is not already running.

Said second command may describe one or more of: a type of physicalcontrol which was used, a function which was used, functions mapped tosaid light control device and capabilities of said light source. Thisenables the user interface to offer advanced functionality. Said secondcommand may describe a function associated with a physical control thatwas used or a function associated with a command provided by the uservia a voice assistant, for example. Said second command mayalternatively or additionally comprise an identifier of the lightcontrol device and/or an identifier of the light source.

In a second aspect of the invention, a method of controlling a lightsource in response to detecting interaction with a light control deviceby a user comprises detecting said interaction with said light controldevice by said user, transmitting a first command or a signal to saidlight source in response to said detection, said first command or saidsignal causing said light source to render a light effect, andtransmitting a second command to a further device in response to saiddetection, said second command causing said further device to display auser interface, said user interface allowing said user to control saidlight source. Said method may be performed by software running on aprogrammable device. This software may be provided as a computer programproduct.

Moreover, a computer program for carrying out the methods describedherein, as well as a non-transitory computer readable storage-mediumstoring the computer program are provided. A computer program may, forexample, be downloaded by or uploaded to an existing device or be storedupon manufacturing of these systems.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium stores at least onesoftware code portion, the software code portion, when executed orprocessed by a computer, being configured to perform executableoperations for controlling a light source in response to detectinginteraction with a light control device by a user.

The executable operations comprise detecting said interaction with saidlight control device by said user, transmitting a first command or asignal to said light source in response to said detection, said firstcommand or said signal causing said light source to render a lighteffect, and transmitting a second command to a further device inresponse to said detection, said second command causing said furtherdevice to display a user interface, said user interface allowing saiduser to control said light source.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the presentinvention may be embodied as a device, a method or a computer programproduct. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the formof an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment(including firmware, resident software, microcode, etc.) or anembodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may allgenerally be referred to herein as a “circuit”, “module” or “system.”Functions described in this disclosure may be implemented as analgorithm executed by a processor/microprocessor of a computer.Furthermore, aspects of the present invention may take the form of acomputer program product embodied in one or more computer readablemedium(s) having computer readable program code embodied, e.g., stored,thereon.

Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s) may beutilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signalmedium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readablestorage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic,magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system,apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. Morespecific examples of a computer readable storage medium may include, butare not limited to, the following: an electrical connection having oneor more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a randomaccess memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmableread-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, a portablecompact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, amagnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.In the context of the present invention, a computer readable storagemedium may be any tangible medium that can contain, or store, a programfor use by or in connection with an instruction execution system,apparatus, or device.

A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signalwith computer readable program code embodied therein, for example, inbaseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may takeany of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to,electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. Acomputer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium thatis not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate,propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with aninstruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmittedusing any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless,wireline, optical fiber, cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination ofthe foregoing. Computer program code for carrying out operations foraspects of the present invention may be written in any combination ofone or more programming languages, including an object orientedprogramming language such as Java(TM), Smalltalk, C++ or the like andconventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C”programming language or similar programming languages. The program codemay execute entirely on the user’s computer, partly on the user’scomputer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user’scomputer and partly on a remote computer, or entirely on the remotecomputer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may beconnected to the user’s computer through any type of network, includinga local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or theconnection may be made to an external computer (for example, through theInternet using an Internet Service Provider).

Aspects of the present invention are described below with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of thepresent invention. It will be understood that each block of theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations ofblocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can beimplemented by computer program instructions. These computer programinstructions may be provided to a processor, in particular amicroprocessor or a central processing unit (CPU), of a general purposecomputer, special purpose computer, or other programmable dataprocessing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions,which execute via the processor of the computer, other programmable dataprocessing apparatus, or other devices create means for implementing thefunctions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block orblocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computerreadable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable dataprocessing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readablemedium produce an article of manufacture including instructions whichimplement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer,other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to causea series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, otherprogrammable apparatus or other devices to produce a computerimplemented process such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer or other programmable apparatus provide processes forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof devices, methods and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof code, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be notedthat, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in theblocks may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, twoblocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantiallyconcurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverseorder, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be notedthat each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustrations,and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchartillustrations, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-basedsystems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations ofspecial purpose hardware and computer instructions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects of the invention are apparent from and will befurther elucidated, by way of example, with reference to the drawings,in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a first embodiment of the system;

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of a first embodiment of the method;

FIG. 3 illustrates an example in which the system of FIG. 1 is used in ahome;

FIG. 4 shows an example of a user interface displayed by the mobiledevice;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a second embodiment of the system;

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a second embodiment of the method; and

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an exemplary data processing system forperforming the method of the invention.

Corresponding elements in the drawings are denoted by the same referencenumeral.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the system for controlling a lightsource in response to detecting interaction with a light control deviceby a user: a bridge 1, e.g. a Philips Hue bridge. The bridge 1communicates with lighting devices 11-13 and light control devices16-18, e.g. using Zigbee technology. The lighting devices 11-13 may beHue lamps, for example.

The light control device 16 may be a Hue dimmer switch, for example. Thelight control device 17 may be a Hue tap switch, for example. The lightcontrol device 17 may be a Hue smart button, for example. The bridge 1is connected to the wireless LAN access point 25, e.g. via Ethernet orWi-Fi. Mobile devices 21 and 23 are also connected to the wireless LANaccess point 25, e.g. via Wi-Fi. Mobile devices 21 and 23 may each be amobile phone, a tablet or a smart watch, for example.

The bridge 1 comprises a receiver 3, a transmitter 4, a processor 5, anda memory 7. The processor 5 is configured to use the receiver 3 todetect the interaction with one of the light control devices 16-18 bythe user by receiving a control command from one of the light controldevices 16-18, use transmitter 4 to transmit a first command to one ormore of the lighting devices 11-13 in response to the detection and usetransmitter 4 to transmit a second command to the mobile device 21 or 23in response to the detection.

The first command causes the one or more lighting devices to render alight effect. The second command causes the mobile device 21 or 23 todisplay a user interface which allows the user to control the one ormore lighting devices. The second command may alternatively causeanother device than a mobile device to display this user interface, e.g.any device with a display or able to control an external display.

The interaction with the light control device 16, 17 or 18 may compriseinteraction with a button or a rotary switch of the light control device16, 17 or 18, for example. Alternatively, interaction with a smartspeaker (not shown in FIG. 1 ) that allows the user to control lightingdevices may be detected, e.g. interaction with an Amazon Echo. Thesecond command may describe one or more of: a type of physical controlwhich was used, a function which was used, functions mapped to the lightcontrol device and capabilities of the lighting device. The secondcommand may describe a function associated with a physical control thatwas used or a function associated with a command provided by the uservia a voice assistant, for example. The second command may alternativelyor additionally comprise an identifier of the light control deviceand/or an identifier of the lighting device.

In the embodiment of the bridge 1 shown in FIG. 1 , the bridge 1comprises one processor 5. In an alternative embodiment, the bridge 1comprises multiple processors. The processor 5 of the bridge 1 may be ageneral-purpose processor, e.g. ARM-based, or an application-specificprocessor. The processor 5 of the bridge 1 may run a Unix-basedoperating system for example. The memory 7 may comprise one or morememory units. The memory 7 may comprise one or more hard disks and/orsolid-state memory, for example. The memory 7 may be used to store atable of connected lights, for example.

The receiver 3 and the transmitter 4 may use one or more wired and/orwireless communication technologies, e.g. Ethernet and/or Wi-Fi (IEEE802.11), for communicating with the wireless LAN access point 25, forexample. In an alternative embodiment, multiple receivers and/ormultiple transmitters are used instead of a single receiver and a singletransmitter. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , a separate receiver anda separate transmitter are used. In an alternative embodiment, thereceiver 3 and the transmitter 4 are combined into a transceiver. Thebridge 1 may comprise other components typical for a network device suchas a power connector. The invention may be implemented using a computerprogram running on one or more processors.

A first embodiment of the method of controlling a light source inresponse to detecting interaction with a light control device by a useris shown in FIG. 2 . A step 101 comprises detecting the interaction withthe light control device by the user. In the embodiment of FIG. 2 , step101 is implemented in a step 111. Step 111 comprises receiving a controlcommand from the light control device.

If a native light control device is used, the system typically registersthe event directly. For example, in the Hue system, the bridge wouldcapture the Zigbee signal from the light control device and transmit acommand to the lighting device(s) associated with the interaction. Whena light control device is not a part of the core system, the systemmight request it to report its identity when changing the state of thesystem (e.g. activating the light). This may be beneficial, for example,when the light control device is a smart speaker with a voice assistantlike Amazon Alexa. Voice commands are then interpreted by Alexa, whichthen transmits control commands to the bridge via the cloud. Non-nativelight control devices may communicate directly with the bridge usingZigbee or could communicate with the bridge via their own hub deviceand/or via the cloud.

Step 103, steps 112-119, and optionally step 105 of FIG. 2 are performedupon receiving this control command in step 111. Step 112 comprisesdetermining, from the control command received in step 111, one or morelighting devices to be controlled. Associations between interactions andlighting devices may be retrieved from memory, for example.

Step 113 comprises determining locations of one or more further devicesrelative to the location of the light control device and/or thelocation(s) of the lighting device(s). In step 113, the system maydetect if any smart device with a screen is available nearby and/or inuse. Many smart devices have the ability to register whether the deviceis ‘unused’ (for example when it is charging or lying screen down on thetable) or whether it is being carried and actively used. The proximityof devices could be measured using RF-based sensing (e.g. Bluetooth orZigbee based) or it can be inferred based on the type of the device andnumber of people/devices present. For example, if one person is presentand only one smart watch is in the network, the system could assume thatthe smart watch is close to the light control device.

If only one further device has been detected in step 113, this furtherdevice is selected in step 115. If multiple further devices are detectednearby, the system needs to decide on which of the devices to displaythe UI. There can be different strategies on how to choose the furtherdevice. For example, the system may always choose the further devicethat is most likely to be very close to the user, e.g. a smart watch, ora device with the largest screen.

In some situations, the system would also need to differentiate betweenusers if multiple detected devices belong to different users. In thiscase, the system could, for example, use the one that is detected to beclosest to the lighting control device. In the embodiment of FIG. 2 , ifmultiple further devices have been detected in step 113, the furtherdevice nearest to the light control device or nearest to the lightingdevice(s) is selected in step 115.

FIG. 3 illustrates how step 115 could, for example, be implemented. FIG.3 shows an example of a floorplan of a home 41 in which the bridge 1 ofFIG. 1 is used. Three rooms are depicted: a hall 43, a kitchen 44 and aliving room 45. The light control device 18 and the wireless LAN accesspoint 25 of FIG. 1 have been placed in the hall 43. The lighting device13 of FIG. 1 has been installed in the kitchen 44. The bridge 1, thelighting devices 11 and 12 and the light control devices 16 and 17 ofFIG. 1 have been placed in the living room 45.

The user 51 is holding mobile device 21 of FIG. 1 and interacting withlight control device 16. If the lighting system, e.g. the bridge 1and/or the light control device 16, has been configured such that thelighting device 11 is controlled based on this interaction and themobile device nearest to the light control device 16 or nearest to thelighting device 11 is selected, then mobile device 21 is selected instep 115.

If the lighting system has been configured such that the lighting device13 is controlled based on this interaction and the mobile device nearestto the light control device 16 is selected, then mobile device 21 isselected in step 115 as well. However, if the lighting system has beenconfigured such that the lighting device 13 is controlled based on thisinteraction and the mobile device nearest to the lighting device 13 isselected, then mobile device 23 of FIG. 1 , held by a user 53, isselected in step 115

Steps 103 and 117 are performed after step 115. Step 103 comprisestransmitting a first command to the lighting device(s) determined instep 112. The first command causes the lighting device to render a lighteffect. This light effect may be determined in step 112 as well. Thelight effect may be specified in the received control command, forexample. Alternatively, associations between interactions and lighteffects may be retrieved from memory in step 112, for example. Step 117comprises extracting information from the control command received instep 111.

Step 119 comprises determining, in dependence on the informationextracted in step 117, whether to transmit a second command or not. Thesecond command causes the further device to display a user interfacewhich allows the user to control the lighting device. The extractedinformation may indicate, for example, whether the light control devicewants the second control command to be transmitted. Alternatively, theinformation may indicate an identifier of the light control device and alookup may be performed in a memory to determine whether is beneficialto transmit the second control command for this light control device.

The user might be explicitly asked to select which of the light controldevices should trigger transmission of the second command. The systemmight also learn this over time, e.g. by initially enabling the featurefor every light control device and then over time, disabling it for thelight control devices for which a user did not actively use the UI onthe further device. Moreover, instead of disabling transmission of thesecond command, the system might specify the how long the UI shouldautomatically be displayed to the user and make this short for devicesfor which the UI is rarely used.

If it is determined not to transmit the second command, then step 101 isrepeated as soon as step 103 has been performed. If it is determined totransmit the second command, then step 105 is performed. Step 105comprises transmitting the second command to the further device selectedin step 115. This results in the further device displaying theafore-mentioned user interface.

The user interface as well as information displayed in the userinterface may be dependent on the type of light control device orphysical control used as well as what function was used. For example, ifa button and single click was used to toggle light, the UI might displaya brightness control and if double click was used to cycle betweenscenes, the UI might display all available scenes, so the user couldimmediately jump to the desired one. Moreover, how long the userinterface is displayed may depend on the type of light control deviceused and/or how often the user uses it, for example. Next, step 101 isrepeated as soon as step 103 has been performed.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a user interface 67 displayed by the mobiledevice 21 of FIG. 1 upon receiving the second command. In the example ofFIG. 4 , the user interface 67 is displayed on a display 69 by a lightcontrol application, which is launched by the mobile device 21 uponreceiving the second command, if not already running. The applicationmay bring the user interface to the front upon receiving the secondcommand or it may provide a push notification whose selection results inthe user interface being brought to the front.

The user interface 67 shows a control area 61 for the lighting devicedetermined in step 112, named “HueGo” in this example. The control area61 allows the user to modify the light effect rendered by the HueGolighting device and control the HueGo lighting device to render themodified light effect. The control area 61 comprises controlfunctionality available on the light control device: an on/off functionoperated with a virtual switch 62. The control area 61 further comprisescontrol functionality not available on the light control device: a dimlevel adjuster operated with a virtual slider 63.

The user interface 67 displays information related to the light effectby filling the control area 61 with a color corresponding to the colorsetting of the light effect and positioning the virtual slider 63 at aposition corresponding to the intensity of the light effect (shown at50% in FIG. 4 ). The user interface 67 further displays informationrelated to interaction in an information area 65. In the example of FIG.4 , the information area 65 indicates that the user can toggle the lightsource on and off by single clicking the button on the light controldevice and perform scene cycling by double clicking the button.

The application may, instead of bringing the user interface to the frontupon receiving the second command (i.e. immediately after receiving thesecond command), bring the user interface to the front only if the userlooks at the mobile device, e.g. after the user takes the mobile phoneout of his pocket, moves the smart watch closer to his face. This may bedetected using an accelerometer, a camera or other means.

FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the system for controlling a lightsource in response to detecting interaction with a light control deviceby a user: a light control device 81. In the example of FIG. 5 , thelighting devices 11-13 and the light control devices 16, 17 and 81communicate with a bridge 91 instead of bridge 1 of FIG. 1 . The bridge91 is connected to the wireless LAN access point 25, e.g. via Ethernetor Wi-Fi.

The light control device 81 comprises a receiver 83, a transmitter 84, aprocessor 85, a memory 87, and a button 89. The light control device 81may be a Hue smart button, for example. In an alternative embodiment,the light control device 81 has more than one physical control. In analternative embodiment, the light control device 81 has at least onedifferent type of physical control instead of or in addition to thebutton 89, e.g. a rotary switch.

The processor 85 is configured to detect interaction with the button 89,use transmitter 84 to transmit a first command to one or more of thelighting devices 11-13 in response to the detection and use transmitter84 to transmit a second command to the mobile device 21 or 23 inresponse to the detection. The first command causes the one or morelighting devices to render a light effect. The second command causes themobile device 21 or 23 to display a user interface which allows the userto control the one or more lighting devices.

In the embodiment of the light control device 81 shown in FIG. 5 , thelight control device 81 comprises one processor 85. In an alternativeembodiment, the light control device 81 comprises multiple processors.The processor 85 of the light control device 81 may be a general-purposeprocessor, e.g. ARM-based, or an application-specific processor. Thememory 87 may comprise one or more memory units. The memory 87 maycomprise solid-state memory, for example.

The receiver 83 and the transmitter 84 may use one or more wirelesscommunication technologies, e.g. Zigbee, for communicating with thebridge 91, for example. In an alternative embodiment, multiple receiversand/or multiple transmitters are used instead of a single receiver and asingle transmitter. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 , a separatereceiver and a separate transmitter are used. In an alternativeembodiment, the receiver 83 and the transmitter 84 are combined into atransceiver. The light control device 81 may comprise other componentstypical for a connected light control device such as a power connectorand/or a battery. The invention may be implemented using a computerprogram running on one or more processors.

In the embodiment of FIG. 5 , the lighting devices 11-13 can becontrolled by the light control devices 16, 17 and 81 and the mobiledevices 21 and 23 via the bridge 91. In an alternative embodiment, oneor more of the lighting devices 11-13 can be controlled by one or moreof these devices without a bridge, e.g. directly via Bluetooth.

A second embodiment of the method of controlling a light source inresponse to detecting interaction with a light control device by a useris shown in FIG. 6 . The method FIG. 6 may be performed by a lightcontrol device, for example. In the embodiment of FIG. 6 , step 101 isimplemented in a step 131. Step 131 comprises detecting that the userhas interacted with a physical control of the light control device.

Steps 112, 133, 103 and 105 are performed upon detecting thisinteraction. Step 112 comprises determining, based on the interactiondetected in step 111, one or more lighting devices to be controlled.Associations between interactions and lighting devices may be retrievedfrom memory, for example. Step 133 comprising selecting a furtherdevice, e.g. a mobile device, based on a further device identifierstored in memory. The further device identifier may be a Bluetoothdevice identifier or MAC address, for example. In an alternativeembodiment, step 133 of FIG. 6 is replaced with steps 113 and 115 ofFIG. 2 .

Steps 103 and 105 are performed after step 133. Step 103 comprisestransmitting a first command to the lighting device determined in step112. The first command causes the lighting device to render a lighteffect. Step 105 comprises transmitting a second command to the furtherdevice selected in step 133. The second command causes the furtherdevice to display a user interface which allows the user to control thelighting device. Step 101 is repeated after steps 103 and 105 have beenperformed.

In the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 5 , the system comprises a singledevice. In an alternative embodiment, the system comprises a pluralityof devices. In the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 5 , the system comprises abridge and a light control device, respectively. In an alternativeembodiment, the system comprises a different device, e.g. a lightingdevice.

For example, the system may comprise a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi lightingdevice that works without a bridge. In this case, the light controldevice may transmit the control command to the lighting device, eitherdirectly (e.g. using ZigBee) or indirectly via another hub (e.g. via asmart speaker using Bluetooth). The lighting device can then control itslight source/element and inform the further device, e.g. a mobiledevice, via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi about the interaction to cause thefurther device to display a relevant graphical user interface. Thelighting device may detect the proximity of the further device based onthe Bluetooth RF signal, for example.

FIG. 7 depicts a block diagram illustrating an exemplary data processingsystem that may perform the method as described with reference to FIGS.2 and 6 .

As shown in FIG. 7 , the data processing system 300 may include at leastone processor 302 coupled to memory elements 304 through a system bus306. As such, the data processing system may store program code withinmemory elements 304. Further, the processor 302 may execute the programcode accessed from the memory elements 304 via a system bus 306. In oneaspect, the data processing system may be implemented as a computer thatis suitable for storing and/or executing program code. It should beappreciated, however, that the data processing system 300 may beimplemented in the form of any system including a processor and a memorythat is capable of performing the functions described within thisspecification.

The memory elements 304 may include one or more physical memory devicessuch as, for example, local memory 308 and one or more bulk storagedevices 310. The local memory may refer to random access memory or othernon-persistent memory device(s) generally used during actual executionof the program code. A bulk storage device may be implemented as a harddrive or other persistent data storage device. The processing system 300may also include one or more cache memories (not shown) that providetemporary storage of at least some program code in order to reduce thequantity of times program code must be retrieved from the bulk storagedevice 310 during execution. The processing system 300 may also be ableto use memory elements of another processing system, e.g. if theprocessing system 300 is part of a cloud-computing platform.

Input/output (I/O) devices depicted as an input device 312 and an outputdevice 314 optionally can be coupled to the data processing system.Examples of input devices may include, but are not limited to, akeyboard, a pointing device such as a mouse, a microphone (e.g. forvoice and/or speech recognition), or the like. Examples of outputdevices may include, but are not limited to, a monitor or a display,speakers, or the like. Input and/or output devices may be coupled to thedata processing system either directly or through intervening I/Ocontrollers.

In an embodiment, the input and the output devices may be implemented asa combined input/output device (illustrated in FIG. 7 with a dashed linesurrounding the input device 312 and the output device 314). An exampleof such a combined device is a touch sensitive display, also sometimesreferred to as a “touch screen display” or simply “touch screen”. Insuch an embodiment, input to the device may be provided by a movement ofa physical object, such as e.g. a stylus or a finger of a user, on ornear the touch screen display.

A network adapter 316 may also be coupled to the data processing systemto enable it to become coupled to other systems, computer systems,remote network devices, and/or remote storage devices throughintervening private or public networks. The network adapter may comprisea data receiver for receiving data that is transmitted by said systems,devices and/or networks to the data processing system 300, and a datatransmitter for transmitting data from the data processing system 300 tosaid systems, devices and/or networks. Modems, cable modems, andEthernet cards are examples of different types of network adapter thatmay be used with the data processing system 300.

As pictured in FIG. 7 , the memory elements 304 may store an application318. In various embodiments, the application 318 may be stored in thelocal memory 308, the one or more bulk storage devices 310, or separatefrom the local memory and the bulk storage devices. It should beappreciated that the data processing system 300 may further execute anoperating system (not shown in FIG. 7 ) that can facilitate execution ofthe application 318. The application 318, being implemented in the formof executable program code, can be executed by the data processingsystem 300, e.g., by the processor 302. Responsive to executing theapplication, the data processing system 300 may be configured to performone or more operations or method steps described herein.

Various embodiments of the invention may be implemented as a programproduct for use with a computer system, where the program(s) of theprogram product define functions of the embodiments (including themethods described herein). In one embodiment, the program(s) can becontained on a variety of non-transitory computer-readable storagemedia, where, as used herein, the expression “non-transitory computerreadable storage media” comprises all computer-readable media, with thesole exception being a transitory, propagating signal. In anotherembodiment, the program(s) can be contained on a variety of transitorycomputer-readable storage media. Illustrative computer-readable storagemedia include, but are not limited to: (i) non-writable storage media(e.g., read-only memory devices within a computer such as CD-ROM disksreadable by a CD-ROM drive, ROM chips or any type of solid-statenon-volatile semiconductor memory) on which information is permanentlystored; and (ii) writable storage media (e.g., flash memory, floppydisks within a diskette drive or hard-disk drive or any type ofsolid-state random-access semiconductor memory) on which alterableinformation is stored. The computer program may be run on the processor302 described herein.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended toinclude any structure, material, or act for performing the function incombination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. Thedescription of embodiments of the present invention has been presentedfor purposes of illustration, but is not intended to be exhaustive orlimited to the implementations in the form disclosed. Many modificationsand variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples and some practical applications of the present invention, andto enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the presentinvention for various embodiments with various modifications as aresuited to the particular use contemplated.

1. A system for controlling a light sourcein response to detectinginteraction with a light control device by a user, said systemcomprising: at least one input interface; at least one furtherinterface; and at least one processor configured to: use said at leastone input interface to detect said interaction with said light controldevice by said user, use said at least one further interface to transmita first command or a signal to said light source in response to saiddetection, said first command or said signal causing said light sourceto render a light effect, and use said at least one further interface totransmit a second command to a further device in response to saiddetection, said second command causing said further device to display auser interface, said user interface allowing said user to control saidlight source, wherein said second command causes said further device tolaunch a lighting control application on said further device, said lightcontrol application displaying said user interface.
 2. A system asclaimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one processor is configured totransmit said second command to said further device based on a locationof said further device and/or said user relative to a location of saidlight control device and/or relative to a location of said light source.3. A system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said further device comprisesa mobile device and said at least one processor is configured to selectsaid mobile device from a plurality of mobile devices based on alocation of said mobile device relative to locations of said pluralityof mobile devices.
 4. A system as claimed in claim 3, further comprisingsaid plurality of mobile devices.
 5. A system as claimed in claim 1,wherein said system further comprises a memory and said at least oneprocessor is configured to select said further device based on a furtherdevice identifier stored in said memory.
 6. A system as claimed in claim1, wherein said system comprises said light control device and said atleast one processor is configured to use said at least one furtherinterface to transmit said first command and said second command upondetecting that said user has interacted with a physical control of saidlight control device.
 7. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said atleast one processor is configured to use said at least one inputinterface to receive a control command from said light control deviceand use said at least one further interface to transmit said firstcommand, or said signal, and said second command upon receiving saidcontrol command.
 8. A system as claimed in claim 7, wherein said atleast one processor is configured to extract information from saidcontrol command and determine, in dependence on said information,whether to transmit said second command or not.
 9. A system as claimedin claim 1, wherein said interaction with said light control devicecomprises interaction with a button or a rotary switch of said lightcontrol device or interaction with a voice assistant via said lightcontrol device.
 10. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said userinterface comprises control functionality of said light source, saidcontrol functionality not being available on said light control device.11. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said user interface allowssaid user to modify said light effect and control said light sourcetorender said modified light effect and/or wherein said user interface isconfigured to display information related to said light effect and/orsaid interaction.
 12. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein saidsecond command describes at least one of: a type of physical controlwhich was used, a function which was used, functions mapped to saidlight control device and capabilities of said light source.
 13. A methodof controlling a light source in response to detecting interaction witha light control device by a user, said method comprising: detecting saidinteraction with said light control device by said user; transmitting afirst command or a signal to said light source in response to saiddetection, said first command or said signal causing said light sourceto render a light effect; and transmitting a second command to a furtherdevice in response to said detection, said second command causing saidfurther device to display a user interface, said user interface allowingsaid user to control said light source, wherein said second commandcauses said further device to launch a lighting control application onsaid further device, said light control application displaying said userinterface.
 14. (canceled)